The False Prince (ARC)

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
 
Genre: Mid-grade/YA Fantasy
Publication Date: April 1st 2012  
Publisher:  Scholastic  
Age Range: Ages 13 and up  
Pages:  342  
Book Source: ARC swap
 
Synopsis (via Goodreads): THE FALSE PRINCE is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end.
In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.
As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.
An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats.

Scoot’s Review:

The False Prince was a great read! The story had tragedy, deceit, politics and all sorts of crazy stuff! The plot had plenty of action and featured a sneaky hero.  I loved the lead character; an orphan named Sage.  Sage was a great lead, an orphan with no leg to stand on yet he defended the weak and was quick witted and talented.  Sage was snarky and had a backbone.  I kind of felt an Aladdin thing going – can a ‘street rat’ ever really be a ‘prince’? Yes – in the ways that really count.  The pace of the story was good, as well as the character building.  The story pulled on your emotions.  With orphans all competing for the same role at risk of their lives, it was often heart wrenching.  The author managed to bring out strong feelings of loss, betrayal and family love with her writing.  The story even had a hint of romance.  I loved it all.  Although the initial story arc was completed in this first novel, it definitely left you wanting more!  There is still a larger story for the author to continue, so I am really looking forward to reading the next novel The Runaway King which comes out this March!

Notable Quotable:

“I've got to go."
"Go where?"
"To go. I'd have just taken care of it myself, but it looks like you want to come along."
Mott cursed. "Wait for morning."
"Wish I could. I've been cursed with my mother's pea-size bladder.”
                   ― Jennifer A. Nielsen, The False Prince

Grade:

Random Side Note: Did you know they are making this novel into a movie? Check out more details here! 

Giveaway:  Jennifer Nielsen is currently giving away an ARC of The Runaway King on her blog! Go check it out here!